John Swinney urged to 'stand up' to Donald Trump and halt 'Trumpification' of Scottish politics

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John Swinney has been urged to "stand up" to Donald Trump whenever he speaks with the US president-elect.

The First Minister was criticised by the Scottish Greens today after it was revealed he had not discussed Trump's "policy agenda" when the two spoke on the phone this week.

Lorna Slater today warned there was already a "Trumpification" of Scottish politics underway after the Conservatives this week called for asylum seekers to not be handed free bus passes.

Speaking at First Minister's Questions, she said: "Donald Trump’s climate destroying, racist and conspiracy-theory based politics are endangering people and planet, and are the exact opposite of the future that we want for Scotland."

Slater accused the SNP leader of having "friendly chats with Trump with no discussion of his policy agenda".

Swinney told MSPs: "I have a duty to promote and to protect the interests of Scotland. President Trump and I had an introductory call at his request on Tuesday evening.

"He spoke positively about Scotland and I expressed the views and the interests of the Scottish Government in relation to areas of cooperation with the United States - particularly on the whisky trade, which matters to the Scottish economy.

"I have a duty to represent Scotland and to make sure that is done on our terms, and representing our policy agenda. And I assure Lorna Slater, and the Scottish Parliament, that will always be the approach I take."

Slater claimed there was already a "Trumpification" of Scottish politics underway after the Conservatives called for refugees not to be given free bus travel.

She added: "All week, the Tories have been working to demonise people seeking asylum, to pit one group of vulnerable people against another. It is shameful.

"At the same time, we are seeing the rights of refugees and of LGBTQ+ folks coming under attack from Westminster policis.

"Will the First Minister stand up to Donald Trump, and stand up for human rights and equality and democracy?"

Swinney insisted: "I believe I represent those values every day in all of my actions as First Minister of Scotland.

"And I agree, this week marks a worrying departure from the prevailing approach that has taken place in the Scottish Parliament".

He added: "We should be recognising people who seek asylum in our country are people who are in desperation. We shouldn't be demonising them, we should be embracing them."

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